Russell County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Russell County is the building-permit issuer for unincorporated Russell County and for the incorporated towns of Lebanon, Honaker, and Cleveland. Virginia DHCD's June 2024 Directory of Virginia Locality Building Officials lists those three towns as 'See Russell County.' The Town of St. Paul, which straddles Russell and Wise counties, is listed under Wise County and is not served by this office.

Department

Building Official, Russell County

Address

137 Highland Drive, Suite D, Lebanon, VA 24266

Phone

276-889-8012

Email

build@russellcountyva.us

Website

https://www.russellcountyva.us/152/Building-Official

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the project requires a permit under Virginia USBC Section 108.1 and the Russell County Building Official process.
2. Download the applicable form set from the Building Official page, including the building permit application and any required trade permit forms (electrical, mechanical, plumbing).
3. Assemble required documents: completed building permit application, county tax map ID number, in-lieu plan (for qualifying residential projects), applicable trade permit applications, and Health Department approval if the project involves or affects a private well or septic system.
4. Submit the complete package electronically or in person at the county office (137 Highland Drive, Suite D, Lebanon).
5. Pay permit charges through the Russell County Treasurer's Office. Payments may be made by telephone using a credit or debit card.
6. Wait for county review and permit issuance. Post the issued permit on site before beginning work.
7. Schedule all required inspections with at least 24 hours notice through the Building Official office.
8. Obtain final county approval before occupancy where required.

Typical processing time: No county-wide turnaround time is publicly posted. A county solar-PV instruction sheet states permit status will be provided within one week for that permit type.

Source: Building Official, Russell County

General Requirements

A building permit is required before construction or demolition of a building or structure; structural work; changes affecting rated assemblies, egress, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, fuel-gas, fire-protection, or regulated equipment; certain change-of-occupancy work; lot-line shifts affecting safety; and asbestos disturbance during construction or demolition (Virginia USBC Section 108.1).

Required Documents

• Completed building permit application
• County tax map ID number
• In-lieu plan (for qualifying single-family residential projects)
• Applicable trade permit applications (electrical, mechanical, plumbing)
• Health Department approval where private well or septic systems are involved or affected
• Owner/applicant information, project description, and estimated construction cost
• Contractor licensing information (state license number and expiration date)
• Mechanics lien agent information for qualifying residential work
• Mobile-home applicants: size, manufacturer, year, and cost

Permit validity

A permit is valid for 6 months after the filing date. Virginia USBC Section 108.8 treats applications as abandoned after 6 months if not pursued in good faith; Section 110.6 allows permit revocation if work does not commence or is abandoned for 6 months.

Building code

Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), 2021 Virginia code cycle, effective January 18, 2024

Owner-builder

Russell County's permit form includes an owner affidavit referencing Virginia Code Section 54.1-1111. Anyone performing work over $1,000 must hold the required state contractor license and applicable trade certification.

Contractor requirements

Virginia USBC Section 108.4 and Virginia Code Section 54.1-1111 require proof of Virginia contractor licensure or a written statement that licensure is not required before permit issuance. Verify contractor licenses through the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR).

Fees

Payment note

Permit payments are remitted to the Russell County Treasurer's Office and may be made by telephone using a credit or debit card.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached tool or storage sheds and similar uses up to 256 square feet
• Fences, unless required for pedestrian safety or as pool barriers
• Qualifying small walls and retaining walls
• Certain small shallow pools
• Certain tents
• Flagpoles 30 feet or less
• Certain same-capacity LP-gas tank replacements
• Qualifying like-for-like window and door replacement
• Plumbing-fixture replacement without system alteration
• Certain lighting and receptacle replacement
• Certain residential roof-covering or siding replacement
• Limited roof-decking replacement
• Cabinetry, trim, paint, and wallpaper

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. The building official may require permits for otherwise exempt work in historic districts or special flood hazard areas. Confirm with the Russell County Building Official before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 276-889-8012 (Building Official) (phone)
• build@russellcountyva.us (email)

Scheduling deadline

At least 24 hours notice required for all inspection requests.

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: The county's public-facing pages do not publish a full stage-by-stage inspection list. Inspections are coordinated through the Building Official as required by permit type, with final approval required before occupancy where applicable.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), 2021 Virginia code cycle, effective January 18, 2024
• Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Virginia USBC Exempt Work — 13VAC5-63-80
• Virginia DHCD Building Codes
• Virginia DHCD Building Officials Directory
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Russell County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Russell County, VA?

A building permit is required before construction or demolition of a building or structure; structural work; changes affecting rated assemblies, egress, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, fuel-gas, fire-protection, or regulated equipment; certain change-of-occupancy work; lot-line shifts affecting safety; and asbestos disturbance during construction or demolition (Virginia USBC Section 108.1).

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Russell County, VA?

1. Confirm the project requires a permit under Virginia USBC Section 108.1 and the Russell County Building Official process. 2. Download the applicable form set from the Building Official page, including the building permit application and any required trade permit forms (electrical, mechanical, plumbing). 3. Assemble required documents: completed building permit application, county tax map ID number, in-lieu plan (for qualifying residential projects), applicable trade permit applications, and Health Department approval if the project involves or affects a private well or septic system. 4. Submit the complete package electronically or in person at the county office (137 Highland Drive, Suite D, Lebanon). 5. Pay permit charges through the Russell County Treasurer's Office. Payments may be made by telephone using a credit or debit card. 6. Wait for county review and permit issuance. Post the issued permit on site before beginning work. 7. Schedule all required inspections with at least 24 hours notice through the Building Official office. 8. Obtain final county approval before occupancy where required.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Russell County, VA?

Typical processing time is No county-wide turnaround time is publicly posted. A county solar-PV instruction sheet states permit status will be provided within one week for that permit type..

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Russell County, VA?

The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached tool or storage sheds and similar uses up to 256 square feet; Fences, unless required for pedestrian safety or as pool barriers; Qualifying small walls and retaining walls; Certain small shallow pools; Certain tents; Flagpoles 30 feet or less; Certain same-capacity LP-gas tank replacements; Qualifying like-for-like window and door replacement; Plumbing-fixture replacement without system alteration; Certain lighting and receptacle replacement; Certain residential roof-covering or siding replacement; Limited roof-decking replacement; Cabinetry, trim, paint, and wallpaper. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. The building official may require permits for otherwise exempt work in historic districts or special flood hazard areas. Confirm with the Russell County Building Official before proceeding.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Russell County, VA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: 276-889-8012 (Building Official), build@russellcountyva.us. At least 24 hours notice required for all inspection requests..